A Systematic Approach For Developing Modular Rehabilitation Products For Facilitating Better Strength Recovery With Focus On Stroke Patients

Abstract

According advanced medical technologies have enabled ruptured brain vessels to be saved by related procedures for stroke patients. However, most patients will suffer various kinds of sequela, such as muscle atrophy, hemiplegia, and facial paralysis, etc. The purpose of this thesis is to create a systematic approach to research, design, innovate and evaluate a modular rehab-equipment on the basis of electronic techniques and mechanical structures for stroke patients. The approach will instruct designer to design modular equipment that recovers the movement of human parts and muscles for stroke rehabilitation. To develop this approach, the first thing that needs to be done is to research and collect information of stroke through books, magazines, and internet, to set up the literature review. The literature review mainly includes understanding about characteristics of stroke patients, rehabilitation exercises movement, the types of synovial joint, skeleton joints principle, current modular process and factors that should be considered in the design parameters and design criteria. Further more to develop the approach based on the literature review. At the end, the elbow and wrist will be two examples, to which this approach is applied to examine whether it is effective. The result of the design approach will provided to hospitals and rehab-equipment sellers, and user feedback will be researched for future designer so that this approach can improved continuously.